Normal, healthy cells divide and grow in a well-established pattern. When these cells divide, an identical copy is produced. The body only makes the number of normal cells it needs at any given time. As each normal cell matures, it loses its ability to reproduce. Normal cells are also preprogrammed to die at a specific time. In contrast, cancer cells reproduce uncontrollably and grow in unpredictable ways. They invade surrounding tissue and can travel in blood or lymph to lodge in other parts of the body.

All chemotherapy drugs work in some way to interfere with the cancer cells’ ability to live, divide, and multiply.